LaShonda Hill's journey from the Navy to counseling military members, veterans and their families
LaShonda Hill is a counselor in the Military and Family Life Counseling (MFLC) Program at Leidos. While she feels fulfilled in this role, she remembers how challenging it felt to enter the civilian workforce after being honorably discharged in 2012.
After serving in the U.S. Navy for 13 years, nearly 12 of which were active duty with six deployments, military life was all she'd known. A gunner, LaShonda could disassemble and reassemble any weapon from a 9-millimeter to a 50-caliber, but she wasn't sure how these and other sailor skills would translate to civilian work. She also wasn't sure what she wanted to do next.
LaShonda's path from the Navy to a meaningful civilian career
“I joined the Navy when I was 18, so I spent my entire adult life serving in the military," she says, noting that throughout her Navy career, higher education became one of her strongest coping mechanisms. “I put my tuition assistance and G.I. Bill to good use."
While in the service and during her first year as a civilian, LaShonda earned four degrees. She has a pre-law bachelor's degree, two master's degrees (one in marriage and family counseling and another in counseling psychology), and a Ph.D. in marriage and family therapy focusing on military families. Amid her academic pursuits and transition to civilian life, LaShonda also had a baby as a single mom.
“I've always been fascinated by figuring people out. Having gone through a failed marriage while in the military, I could see the benefit of counseling military members and their families," she says.
LaShonda knows firsthand what sailors experience, both the good and the bad—like the close bonds they develop with other service members and how difficult it can be to maintain strong relationships with loved ones at home when communication is often cut off for weeks while deployed. She draws on her personal experience and professional training to relate to sailors and veterans, helping them find a positive path forward both during their service and as they transition into civilian life.
“I'd never even had a job before I served, so I had no clue what life and work would be like outside the military," she says. “It was a bit of a culture shock, but other veterans helped me adjust. That's why I love helping people navigate this process now."
Between her time in the military and her work with veterans ever since, LaShonda has spent the past 20 years dedicated to service.
“It's gratifying being able to guide young sailors as part of the MFLC program—and to be well taken care of myself," she says. “I love it here. My coworkers are like a beam of support for one another. I know I did great work while I was on active duty, but I think I can help more people from where I am now."
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Like LaShonda, Leidos is committed to supporting our nation’s heroes—our military service members, veterans, and their families. Join us in impacting change and advancing their well-being. View all open MFLC counselor positions.
Discover more health careers at Leidos, and learn about Operation MVP, our commitment to hiring veterans and military spouses.
